An Introduction to Pedagogical Approaches in E-Learning

The internet is a fantastic tool for businesses and educators to use, and there is little doubt that e-learning has been a revolution in the education sector. However, the existence of the web as a tool does not remove the need for skill in instruction! Before embarking on an e-learning project or instituting a new learning management system, it can be helpful to identify the established pedagogical approaches to e-learning, and attempt to fit your system with them. Today we take a quick review of the major philosophical and practical theories of how we ‘e-learn'!

Social Constructivist Approach

Jean Piaget was one of the pioneers of this approach to teaching, which states that learning occurs through an interaction between experience and ideas. Some of the key elements of e-learning systems under a social constructivist approach should be:

Opportunities for interaction such as forums and blogs

Real-time collaborative capacities

The ability for students to add to the learning management system course material, such as suggesting resources or contributing to wikis.

Laurillard's Conversation Model

This e-learning model aims to facilitate ‘putting oneself in others' shoes'. Common elements of the learning management system include:

Real-time collaborative tools

Chat fora

Methods for providing feedback

Methods for students to provide feedback ON the feedback!

Emotional Learning

This pedagogical approach to e-learning takes the position that emotions are an essential element in the e-learning process, not something which must be ignored. Key elements for the emotional learning approach include:

Games and puzzles

Instant feedback mechanisms such as automatically scored quizzes

Video or typed chat tools for human interaction

Group tasks which require collaboration among students.

Cognitive Learning Approach

This approach to learning management system design is heavily focused on the neuroscientific literature which explores how our brains learn best. Some aspects of e-learning systems designed with a strong cognitive focus might include:

Tasks designed to be repeated to take advantage of optimal learning repetition intervals

Tasks utilising moving images, which are highly effective at holding attention

Direction of motor responses other than clicking the mouse or typing words – involvement with physical activities.

The cognitive learning approach also encompasses the wisdom and approaches of the emotional learning approach and the social constructivist approach, as both of these models are strongly based on universal cognitive processes.

Behavioural Perspective

The behavioural approach to e-learning views the learning management system as a bare-bones base which teaches the necessary skills for students to practice and refine their physical skills in real life. It is the most useful pedagogical approach to take when teaching psychomotor skills; for example, teaching handwashing to nurses. Elements of a learning management system based on the behavioural approach might include:

Highly simplified instructional portions

Simulations of practical skills using manipulation of on-screen images

Checklist-based teaching of physical tasks.

The ability to print from a learning management system taking a behavioural approach is essential, as students will need to take their learning materials out into the field with them to practise their new skills.

In reality, a couple of pedagogical approaches will come naturally to educators – but a mixture of elements from many of them will work best with a diverse classroom of students all trying to ‘e-learn'!